Rob, Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Great accomplishments depend not so much on ingenuity as on hard work. Working code attracts people who want to code. Show me the code. Is there a similar expression in the domain of education? FWIW, I am neither a programmer nor an educator. I just find the intersection between education and technology full of untapped potential. david On Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 1:12 AM, Costello, Rob R <[email protected]> wrote: > I see there are 6 descriptors on the getting involved page > > Only one of them seems primarily about 'working code' - which I doubt > that many educators have contributed to. Just interested discussion and > practical experience. > > Personally, I hope to get into this more fully, this year, now my work > has hopefully down-shifted a gear, intensity wise, (ironically taking > me out of the classroom where I was always hoping to trial it, and into > development of educational maths software) > > Yes, I can see that without the technical systems up and working there > is no project ...so its necessary, but not sufficient, to just build it > > consider the popularity of this immensely impractical advice > http://google.decenturl.com/shipbuilding > > engaging teachers and getting traction in schools will continue to be a > critical challenge, I think. It's the same reason that the Dynabook > vision isn't yet realised - this is as much a cultural as a technical > challenge. > > I've already learnt a lot here thrashing out some ideas with some here > > Pity to douse that cause it not solid coding - frustrating as that may > be for the solid coders > > But if being a python developer or linux administrator is the main game > or acid test of commitment, it seems to that the 'education project' is > not really acknowledging the diversity of all 6 types ...which is not so > good for 'group work' > > I'm encouraged I guess, that Papert et al seem at times almost > indulgently philosophical on the challenges of using new systems and the > inertia of schooling, as well as no doubt also being technical gurus - > seems the big ideas are needed as well as the practical implementation > > Cheers > > Rob > > > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto:iaep- >> [email protected]] On Behalf Of David Farning >> Sent: Sunday, 18 January 2009 6:01 AM >> To: iaep >> Subject: [IAEP] Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing >> >> In survey after survey, when schools ask employers what skills their >> graduates are lacking 'working in groups' is always near the top of >> the list. >> >> It has always struck me as odd that, after more than 20 years of >> individual student work, a three credit class in group dynamics is >> expected to fill that role. >> >> One on the most prevalent models for studying group dynamics is >> Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing. While the model is not able >> to perfectly represent Sugar Labs, it is still worth studying. >> >> Forming - The group comes together. Members have different >> expectations. Goals are not yet clearly defined. In open source >> terminology, participants are trying to figure out how to scratch >> their itch. Some people may find that contributing to Sugar Labs >> scratches their personal itch. Some may not. >> >> Storming - Because of the differing expectations and poorly defined >> goals, conflict arises. This conflict was present at the November >> SugarCamp. Rather than Rub salt in old wounds, I will ask you to >> reexamine the events leading up to, the discussions at, and the blame >> following SugarCamp. We must acknowledge that the storming is >> uncomfortable for many people. >> >> Norming - As XOCamp wraps up, we are transitioning into the norming >> phase. We have established some high level goals and have set some >> expectations for behavior within the project. The most important of >> these behaviors will be the notion of 'Show me the code', or 'Patches >> welcome.' >> >> Performing - Once we have firmly established a respect for working >> code, which we can then improve, rather then grand ideas, we will be >> well along the way towards being a productive community. >> >> thanks >> david >> _______________________________________________ >> IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) >> [email protected] >> http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep > > Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received > in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using > attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, > damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, > resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our > liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any > representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and > not necessarily those of the Department of Education and Early Childhood > Development. > _______________________________________________ > IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) > [email protected] > http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep > _______________________________________________ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) [email protected] http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
